Middle East Tourism Lures More Indian Visitors, Adding Flights as Oman Arrivals Jump 36%
Updated
Updated · The Economic Times · Jul 6
Middle East Tourism Lures More Indian Visitors, Adding Flights as Oman Arrivals Jump 36%
3 articles · Updated · The Economic Times · Jul 6
Summary
Indian travel demand to the Middle East has held up despite the US-Iran war, with tourism boards reporting fresh growth and pushing more air links, promotions and trade campaigns to capture it.
Oman logged 331,365 Indian arrivals in January-May, up 36% year on year, while Ras Al Khaimah said Indian arrivals rose 27.5% in May and remain central to its 3.5 million annual-visitor goal by 2030.
Saudi said flight capacity has returned to pre-disruption levels, helped by flyadeal's Hyderabad launch on July 4 and Riyadh Air's Mumbai service starting Aug. 4, alongside existing Indian and Gulf carriers.
Destinations are pairing connectivity with discounts and tailored products—Saudi resorts are offering up to 25% off, Ras Al Khaimah is pitching wedding and family packages, and Qatar is marketing stopovers from $14 a night.
The broader push underscores how India has become a strategic source market across the Gulf, with Abu Dhabi, Oman and Saudi all planning more airline coordination, trade outreach and targeted campaigns.